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Klinck noted at a district council meeting on Aug. 19 that he has spoken with Seguin Township, the Township of Minden Hills and others about an investigation into an independent police force.

He said Seguin is already looking into the option with another neighbour.

“There could be some opportunities for Muskoka there,” he said.

The OPP released a new billing model for Ontario municipalities earlier this month. The new model was prompted by a recommendation from the auditor general.

The model would include a base cost and a variable cost, so it is unclear how it will specifically affect Muskoka. But staff is certain prices will go up.

The district pays about $10.2 million a year for police services.

Julie Stevens, district commissioner of finance and corporate services, told councillors she estimates regional annual costs will increase from $224 per household to between $300 and $350 per household.

The increases would be phased in on taxpayers’ bills over three years. A $40 per year cap is in place.

Klinck said he spoke with the minister of community safety and correctional services at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference last week about the new model.

“I suggested I wasn’t terribly happy, as did all of those that commented before me,” he said. “I spoke to the obvious fact that there are 55 per cent of Muskokans that may or may not be entirely shocked by $100 more on their tax bill next year, but 45 per cent might find it perhaps a little difficult to come up with $100 or $200 or $300 more,” said Klinck.

Some councillors have been pushing for an investigation into independent police services, while others have been dead set against it.

Huntsville coun. Fran Coleman urged the district to reject independent police service talks.

“I would hope the District of Muskoka is going to forget the idea of self-policing and work with our colleague to find efficiencies in the service that we already have,” she said. “Let’s not reinvent the wheel.”